American mountain-ash facts for kids
Quick facts for kids American mountain-ash |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| (unranked): | |
| (unranked): | |
| (unranked): | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: |
Sorbus
|
| Section: |
Commixtae
|
| Species: |
S. americana
|
| Binomial name | |
| Sorbus americana Marshall
|
|
 |
|
| Distribution map of native Sorbus americana range. | |
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The American mountain-ash (scientific name: Sorbus americana) is a cool tree found in eastern North America. It's a type of tree that loses its leaves every fall, just like many trees you see around. Sometimes, people also call it a rowan tree. This name is often used for its relatives, like the European mountain-ash.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
The American mountain-ash is usually a small tree. It can grow up to about 12 meters (40 feet) tall. The biggest ones are found near the northern parts of Lake Huron and Lake Superior. This tree looks quite a bit like its cousin, the European mountain-ash.
Where Does It Grow?
This tree naturally grows in many parts of eastern North America. You can find it in:
- Eastern Canada: New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec.
- Northeastern United States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.
- North-Central United States: Illinois (especially Ogle County), Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. In Illinois, it's considered an endangered plant.
- Southeastern United States: Along the Appalachian Mountains, in Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Who Eats This Tree?
The bright berries of the American mountain-ash are a tasty snack for many animals. Lots of different birds love them, including ruffed grouse, ptarmigans, and American robins. Small mammals like squirrels and other rodents also enjoy the berries.
Larger animals, such as moose and white-tailed deer, like to munch on the tree itself. Moose will eat its leaves, small branches, and even the bark. Studies have shown that moose eat a lot of American mountain-ash stems in areas where they can reach them. Other animals like fishers, martens, snowshoe hares, and ruffed grouse also browse on this tree.
Growing American Mountain-Ash
People often plant Sorbus americana as an ornamental tree in gardens and parks. It adds beauty to these spaces. This tree likes rich, moist soil and often grows well near swamps. However, it can also thrive on rocky hillsides.
There's a special type of American mountain-ash called 'Dwarfcrown'. It's known as the red cascade mountain-ash. This variety is popular for planting in gardens and even as a street tree in towns.
How Can We Use Its Fruits?
The fruits of the American mountain-ash are edible! It's best to wait until after their first winter freeze. After that, you can eat them raw or cook them. They are often used to make delicious pies and jellies.
